Speaking very briefly, he says:
Thank you. Thank you. Oh it’s a beautiful night in this neighborhood. So many people have helped me to come to this night. Some of you are here, some are far away, some are even in Heaven.
All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, ten seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are. Those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life. Ten seconds of silence. I’ll watch the time.
[10 Sec Pause]
Whomever you’ve been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they’ve made. You know they’re the kind of people television does well to offer our world. Special thanks to my family and friends, and to my co-workers in Public Broadcasting, Family Communications, and this Academy for encouraging me, allowing me, all these years to be your neighbor. May God be with you. Thank you very much.
If your kids have never watched Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, I encourage you to seek episodes out on your PBS station or online. Let’s use the wonders of technology to keep exposing our little loves to this wonderful man of God — and of television. I feel he was truly an angel on earth, and I am really looking forward to meeting him in heaven one day!
